Method and system for determining displacement time of a mobile user terminal equipment

ABSTRACT

A method as well as a system are described for determining the travel time of at least one mobile user end device between a starting point (A) and an end point (E) that is spatially separated from it. To this end, specific pieces of information of at least one mobile user end device located at the starting point (A) and at the end point (E) are determined and each linked to a time marker. The specific pieces of information of the mobile user end devices are compared with one another electronically in at least one central processing unit. When the specific pieces of information of a mobile user end device are in agreement at the starting point (A) as well as at the end point (E), the time difference between the time markers is formed electronically in the central processing unit and the travel times are determined therefrom. The method can be carried out advantageously by the use of a cellular mobile wireless system ( 10 ), wherein the starting point (A) and the end point (E) are each formed by corresponding cells ( 12, 13 ) of the mobile wireless system ( 10 ). The determination of the travel time results from the data of the mobile wireless system ( 10 ).

The present invention concerns, first of all, a method for determiningthe travel time of at least one mobile user end device in accordancewith the preamble of patent claim 1 as well as the preamble of patentclaim 17. Furthermore, the invention concerns a system for determiningthe travel time of at least one mobile user end device in accordancewith the preamble of patent claim 21. Finally, the invention alsoconcerns a computer program product.

Methods and systems of this kind are employed, for example, to determinethe travel time of a vehicle between a selected starting point and anend point that is spatially separated from it.

Known, for example, are solutions in which the travel time of a vehicleis recorded by means of stationary radar sensors. Here, the vehiclespass the sensors, which, in turn, are mounted on the roads. The sensorsmeasure, for example, the speed, the traffic density, and similar dataand, in the event of anomalies, transmit a message to a centralprocessing unit. There, the data are collected and processed into acorresponding pattern of the traffic situation.

Known from JP A 080 50 695, for example, is a system in which the traveltime of a vehicle is determined by first dividing the distance between astarting point and a destination point into a plurality of distancesegments. The individual distance segments are furnished withcorresponding sensor elements, by means of which the vehicle speed isdetermined. On the basis of these data, a corresponding travel time isdetermined for each distance segment. Subsequently, a travel time forthe entire distance between starting point and destination point isdetermined from the individual travel times per distance segment.

Described in accordance with another solution, described in EP A 0 978811, is a method as well as a device for determining the travel time ofmotor vehicles. In this process, the travel time of the vehicle on adistance segment of a traffic route results from the difference betweenthe departure time and the arrival time. For the determination of thesetimes, it is provided that the motor vehicles are optically recordedindividually and automatically in the traffic flow by means of a videocamera at specific control points of the distance segment along the siteof approach or of departure. The pictorial information is converted intoimage data and provided with a time marker. The travel time of the motorvehicle is determined from this acquired information in a centralprocessing unit.

Known in accordance with another solution, for example, is anacquisition of traffic data by means of distributed detection sensors.For example, so-called “floating cars” are involved in the case of suchdetection sensors. “Floating cars” are vehicles that are equipped withsuitable devices. These devices in the form of correspondingly designeddetection sensors generate positional data by measuring their positionby GPS, for example. The positional data determined in this way are thentransmitted to a central processing unit, for which purpose thedetection sensors communicate at least temporarily with the centralprocessing unit. In this process, the individual positional data areacquired by the central processing unit and further processed intocorresponding traffic information.

However, all of the solutions described above have the drawback that, onthe one hand, they are very complicated and, on the other hand, they arevery cost-intensive. Thus, in all cases, it is necessary, for example,to create a special infrastructure. To this end, either special user enddevices have to be made available or else a special communicationnetwork for the user end devices is required.

Data acquisition by means of stationary sensors necessitates, forexample, significant investment in sensors. Furthermore, the applicationof such a solution to areas with existing sensor technology is limited.Data acquisition by means of “floating car” technologies necessitatesthe participation of a sufficiently large number of correspondinglyequipped vehicles. Furthermore, for wide-area operation, such a solutionentails high costs for the wireless communication of the “floating cars”with the analyzing central processing unit.

The present invention is therefore based on the problem of furtherdeveloping a method and a system of the kind mentioned in the beginningin such a manner that the drawbacks described in connection with theprior art can be avoided. In particular, it should be possible in asimple and cost-advantageous way to determine the travel time of mobileuser end devices.

This problem is solved in accordance with the invention by the methodwith the characteristics according to the independent patent claim 1,the method with the characteristics according to the independent patentclaim 17, the system with the characteristics according to theindependent patent claim 21, and the computer program product with thecharacteristics according to the independent patent claim 22. Additionaladvantages, characteristics, details, aspects, and effects of theinvention ensue from the subclaims, the description, and the drawings.Here, characteristics and details that are described in connection withthe method in accordance with the invention also obviously apply inconnection with the system in accordance with the invention and viceversa in each case. An analogous situation applies to the computerprogram product in accordance with the invention.

The invention is based on the knowledge that the problem can be solvedby being able to utilize specific information of user end devices,particularly information that is produced in any case during theiroperation, in order to determine their travel time therefrom.

Provided according to a first aspect of the invention is a method fordetermining the travel time of at least one mobile user end devicebetween a starting point A and an end point E that is spatiallyseparated from it, this method being characterized in accordance withthe invention by the following steps:

-   -   a) specific pieces of information of at least one mobile user        end device located at a starting point A are determined and each        is linked to a time marker TA;    -   b) specific pieces of information of at least one mobile user        end device located at the end point E are determined and each is        linked to a time marker TE;    -   c) the specific pieces of information of the at least one mobile        user end device located at the starting point A and at the end        point E are compared with one another electronically in at least        one central processing unit; and    -   d) when there is agreement between the specific pieces of        information of a mobile user end device at the starting point A        and at the end point E, the time difference TE−TA between the        time marker TE and the time marker TA is formed and the travel        time is determined from it electronically in the central        processing unit.

In this way, it becomes possible to determine the travel time of themobile user end device in a simple and cost-advantageous manner, withoutthe necessity of having a special infrastructure for this. In order todetermine the travel time, specific pieces of information of the mobileuser end devices are determined and analyzed. What is involved in thecase of such specific pieces of information is information that accruesin any case during the operation of the user end devices. The method cantherefore be employed anywhere where corresponding user end devices arelocated. Some non-limiting examples of this will be described in greaterdetail in the further course of the description.

The basic idea of the present invention consists, first of all, in thefact that details on travel times can be obtained without the necessityof localizing the user end devices permanently and precisely. When thetravel time of at least one mobile user end device between a startingpoint A and an end point E that is spatially separated from it is to bedetermined, specific pieces of information of at least one mobile userend device located at the starting point A are determined initially in afirst step and each is linked to a corresponding time marker TA. In thisprocess, the invention is not restricted to certain specific pieces ofinformation of the mobile user end devices. It is only important thatthe mobile user end devices can be identified and characterizedunequivocally on the basis of the specific pieces of informationdetermined. These pieces of information are then linked to acorresponding time marker. In this way, it is possible to determine thatthe user end device was located at a specific point of time, whichcorresponds to the time marker TA, at the starting point A.

In the same way, according to a further step of the method in accordancewith the invention, specific pieces of information of at least one userend device located at the fixed end point E are determined and eachlinked to a time marker TE. In this way, it is possible to establishthat such a mobile user end device was located at the end point E at aspecific point of time, which corresponds to the time marker TE.

The specific pieces of information, acquired in this way, of the atleast one mobile user end device located at the starting point A and atthe end point E are compared with one another electronically in at leastone central processing unit.

In this way, it is checked whether the respective specific pieces ofinformation and thus ultimately the user end devices associatedtherewith are in agreement.

When the specific pieces of information of a mobile user end device atthe starting point A and at the end point E are in agreement, this meansthat one and the same user end device was located both at the startingpoint A and at the end point E. If such an agreement is established, thetime difference TE−TA between the time marker TE of the mobile user enddevice at the end point and the time marker TA of the mobile user enddevice at the starting point is formed electronically in the centralprocessing unit. Subsequently, the travel time of the mobile user enddevice between the starting point A and the end point E that isspatially separated from it is determined from the resulting timedifference. How this can occur in detail will be explained in greaterdetail on the basis of non-limiting examples in the further course ofthe description.

The present invention is not restricted to a particular number of userend devices. In order to carry out the method, it is already sufficientwhen only a single user end device is present. Obviously, the method canalso be employed advantageously in the case when a larger number of userend devices are present.

It is especially advantageous when the greatest possible number of userend devices is made available. Possible in this way is an especiallysimple and yet precise geographical assignment of user end devices, aswill be explained in greater detail in the further course of thedescription.

Furthermore, the invention is not restricted to a specific kind ofdesign of user end devices. In principle, it is possible to use any kindof mobile user end devices for which specific pieces of information canbe generated. These specific pieces of information must be able toindividually identify the respective user end device. Furthermore, it isadvantageous that the specific pieces of information generated shouldalso be suitable for further processing. Some non-limiting examples ofsuitable user end devices will be explained in greater detail in thefurther course of the description.

With the method in accordance with the invention, it is primarilypossible to determine the current travel times of user end devices. Inthis method, it is not absolutely necessary to compare the determinedtravel times with corresponding reference data in order to therebygenerate corresponding information, such as, for example, trafficinformation or the like. Nonetheless, the method in accordance with theinvention can be employed for such purposes as well.

Advantageously, the specific pieces of information of the mobile userend devices can be acquired electronically. The linking of the specificpieces of information to corresponding time markers can also take placeelectronically. The analysis of the information as well as thedetermination of the time difference between the individual time markersand thus the formation of the travel time can take place advantageouslyin the central processing unit automatically.

The method can be conducted advantageously with the assistance ofsuitable program means, such as, for example, software, or at leastthereby supported.

Preferably, the method can be carried out by use of an informationsystem, particularly a communication system, whereby the travel time isdetermined from specific data of the mobile user end devices of theinformation transmitting system. An independent system is advantageouslyinvolved in the case of the information transmitting system. Theinvention is not restricted hereby to specific types of informationtransmitting systems. However, the information transmitting system hasto be designed in such a way that specific pieces of information of theuser end devices can be determined. Suitable information transmittingsystems are, for example, systems for the transmission of signals, suchas, for example, systems for the transmission of data, of wirelesssignals, and of the like. The user end devices can involve, for example,portable computers, PDAs (personal digital assistants), and the like.

Particularly advantageously, the method can be carried out by the use ofa mobile wireless system, particularly a cellular mobile wirelesssystem, whereby the mobile user end devices are designed as mobilephones and whereby the travel time is determined from specific data ofthe mobile phones. When a mobile wireless system is employed, thespecific pieces of information of the user end devices, designed asmobile phones, can be formed, for example, from information in relationto the mobile phones—for example, in relation to the movement of themobile phones, such as their movement between different cells (handoverbetween cells) and/or within one cell, the time-dependent and/or localdistribution of the mobile phones, the number and/or density of themobile phones per cell, the call setup rate, and/or disconnect rate, andthe like. Naturally, it is also conceivable to record the call rate forparticular calling numbers as information to be acquired.

When the method in accordance with the invention is employed by use of amobile wireless system in order to determine, for example, the traveltime of vehicles between a starting point and an end point, it ishenceforth no longer necessary to provide a high positional precision inorder to separate the positioned mobile subscribers into automobiledriver and others. How this can take place in detail will be explainedin greater detail in the further course of the description.

Advantageously, it is possible to acquire specific pieces ofinformation, in each case, of all mobile user end devices located at thestarting point A and/or the end point E and to provide these with acorresponding time marker TA, TE.

Preferably, the specific pieces of information of the at least onemobile user end device located at the starting point A and at the endpoint E can be transmitted to the central processing unit or generatedelectronically in the central processing unit. When the specific piecesof information are generated within the user end devices, the latterpreferably have available their own central processing unit, in whichthe information of the individual user end devices is collected andsubsequently compiled into the corresponding specific pieces ofinformation. In such a case, the specific pieces of information thathave already been finished are transmitted to the central processingunit that communicates at least temporarily with the mobile user enddevices.

When the specific pieces of information of the mobile user end devicesare determined within the central processing unit, the individual piecesof information of the mobile user end devices are transmitted initiallyto the central processing unit. There, the corresponding specific piecesof information are generated for each mobile user end device.

Advantageously, the starting point A and/or the end point E can be fixedin the form of a geographical value. This can involve, for example, aspecial, spatially defined site. Such sites can be, for example,particular cities, particular roads, and particular geographicalreference points, such as bridges, special structures, and the like.Naturally, the starting point and/or end points can be fixed in anotherway as well.

When the method is carried out in connection with a mobile wirelesssystem, the starting point A can be designed, for example, as one cellof a mobile wireless system. In this case, the end point E is designedadvantageously as another cell of the mobile wireless system that isspatially separated from the first cell. In another embodiment, it canalso be provided that the starting point A is designed as a firstboundary of a particular cell of the mobile wireless system, while theend point E is designed as a second boundary of the same cell.

The invention is not restricted to a specific embodiment for thestarting points and/or end points, so that the examples mentioned abovedo not have any limiting character whatsoever.

In another embodiment, an action profile can be determined for the atleast one mobile user end device at the starting point A and/or the atleast one mobile user end device at the end point E from specific piecesof information for these, whereby each action profile is linked to atime marker TA, TE. Advantageously, the action profile of the mobileuser end device can be determined in this method from locationinformation and/or activity information of the user end device. Whenwhat is involved in the case of the mobile user end device is a mobilephone within a mobile wireless network, this information can, forexample, be the network load in selected areas—for example, in specificmobile wireless cells.

In connection with mobile phones, the action profiles mentioned abovecan involve, for example, the so-called “call data records” of themobile wireless system. For all mobile phone calls, the beginning andthe end (and thus the length) of the call as well as the position of themobile phone at the beginning of the call and its position at the end ofthe call are recorded and analyzed.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that positional data of the mobile userend devices are generated and subsequently compiled into a positionalprofile. It is also conceivable to generate information in relation tothe movement of a time-dependent and/or local distribution, of a numberand/or density per unit area of mobile end devices, and to compile thisinformation into corresponding action profiles.

When the method is operated in connection with a mobile wirelesssystem—in particular, a cellular mobile wireless system—it isfundamentally possible to utilize, as specific pieces of information ofthe user end devices designed as mobile phones in this case, allinformation that accrues in the framework of the basic way in which themobile wireless system functions. Included here, in addition to theinformation mentioned above, are also real-time registration and cellactivity data of active mobile end devices. These are received, as arule, by corresponding base stations, which, in turn, are assigned toindividual cells of the mobile wireless system. The received data arerelayed through the respective base stations to a central processingunit, where they are further processed. In particular, the base stationsreceive data from those mobile phones that are located just then in onecell in each case. It is not absolutely necessary here that a telephonecall is also just then in process by means of the mobile phone in orderto determine specific pieces of information. Instead, it is sufficientwhen the mobile phone is in an active state, that is, when it isswitched on. In such a case, the mobile phone sends out, at regularintervals, so-called registration signals, which are then registered bybase stations located in the vicinity and relayed to the centralprocessing unit. A basic functional mode of a cellular mobile wirelesssystem is involved here. Such registration data are also suitable in aparticularly advantageous manner as specific pieces of information ofthe user end devices.

Advantageously, such an action profile as that described above can bedetermined in the mobile user end device associated therewith or in thecentral processing unit. When the action profiles are determined in thecentral processing unit, the individual user end devices can be producedmore simply and thus also at more favorable cost. They merely have to becapable of generating specific pieces of information and of relayingthis information to the central processing unit. The actual analysis andfurther processing of the specific pieces of information into the actionprofiles then takes place centrally in the central processing unit.

In another embodiment, the central processing unit can have at least onecomputing unit with one or more electronic computers. In this case, thetravel time can be determined electronically in the at least onecomputing unit. When several computing units are used, these can be orcan become preferably interconnected to form a single computing network.

Preferably, specific time marker-linked pieces of information or actionprofiles of each mobile user end device and/or the travel timesdetermined therefrom can be filed in the form of comparison data atleast temporarily in a comparison file. This comparison file can bestored at least temporarily, for example, in a memory storage device.The memory storage device can, in turn, be assigned at least temporarilyto the central processing unit. For example, the memory storage devicecan involve a component of the central processing unit. However, it isalso possible that the memory storage device of the central processingunit is designed to be spatially separate and that the centralprocessing unit accesses this memory storage device at leasttemporarily.

Beyond this, the comparison data, for example, can be subjected to aweighting step in the central processing unit.

In another embodiment, it can be provided that a geographical and/oruser-specific assignment is generated in the central processing unit onthe basis of the comparison data.

For example, a kind of histogram may be involved in this case, in whichthe number of mobile user end devices is plotted over the travel time.

In another embodiment, specific time marker—linked bits of informationor action profiles of each mobile user end device and/or the traveltimes determined therefrom and/or the comparison data generatedtherefrom can be compared with corresponding reference values within thecentral processing unit. The reference values can be stored hereadvantageously in a suitable memory storage device or become or befiled.

Advantageously, it is provided in the method described above that thetravel time is determined in a continual manner. Furthermore, it can beprovided that the travel time also is updated in a continual manner.

Provided according to a second aspect of the invention is a method fordetermining the travel time of at least one mobile user end devicebetween a starting point and a destination point that is spatiallyseparated from it, this method being characterized in accordance withthe invention in that the distance between the starting point and thedestination point is subdivided into two or more distance segments S,each having a starting point A and an end point E, in that the traveltime within each distance segment S is determined in a way describedabove in accordance with the invention, in that the individual traveltimes of the distance segments are summed up in the central processingunit, and in that the total travel time is determined from the sum ofthe individual travel times.

In this method, it is possible in a simple and cost-advantageous way todetermine the travel time between a starting point and a destinationpoint with at least one mobile user end device. To this end, it isprovided, first of all, that the distance between the starting point andthe destination point is subdivided into a number of distance segments.Each distance segment, in turn, has a starting point and an end point,whereby, advantageously, the end point of one distance segmentrepresents the starting point of the following distance segment.

The travel times of the mobile user end devices are determined in theway described above in connection with the method according to the firstaspect of the invention, so that the full content of the precedingdescriptions is invoked and herewith reference is made thereto.

The respective travel times of the individual distance segments aresummed up in the central processing unit, whereby the total travel timeis determined from the sum of the individual travel times.

Advantageously, it is provided that the individual travel times aredetermined in a continual manner and that the total travel time isupdated in a continual manner on the basis of the travel times withinthe distance segments.

In this way it is possible to provide always a current travel timebetween a starting point and a destination point. When the travel timeof mobile end devices within a distance segment changes, this change intime flows immediately into the total travel time, so that the latteralso changes accordingly.

In connection with the two aspects of the invention described above, itcan be advantageous that traffic information is generated in the centralprocessing unit on the basis of the travel time(s) determined and/or thetotal travel time(s) determined. When the method is carried out by useof a mobile wireless system, it is possible in particular here toacquire traffic data without map matching, solely from the data of themobile wireless network. However, the invention is not restricted hereto specific types of traffic information. For example, trafficinformation can be generated not only through the travel time that iscurrently to be expected, through current traffic situations, and thusthrough the status quo. It is also conceivable to generate trafficinformation that allows predictions on traffic situations that are to beexpected in the future.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the specific time marker-linkedpieces of information or action profiles of each mobile user end deviceand/or the travel times determined therefrom and/or the comparison datagenerated therefrom and/or the total travel times determined and/or thegenerated traffic information is (are) transmitted from the centralprocessing unit to selected or to all mobile end user devices. In thefirst case, it is possible to provide the corresponding information onlyto those users that have subscribed to a corresponding service provider.

The methods described above in accordance with the invention have, inaddition to the advantages already mentioned, a number of furtheradvantages. When the methods are employed, for example, for thegeneration of traffic data, it is possible to make available the traveltimes of vehicles even without the presence of traffic jams. This isimportant, for example, for statistical purposes or for thedifferentiation of heavy, sluggish, or stop-and-go traffic. Furthermore,it is possible to dispense with the differentiation between automobiledrivers and other subscribers, because a positional accuracy of theindividual mobile user end devices is not required. Instead, thegeographical assignment of the mobile user end devices can occur in anindirect way, as basically explained below on the basis of anon-limiting example, without the invention being restricted to theexample mentioned.

According to this example, travel times of mobile user end devices areto be determined by use of a mobile wireless network, wherein theindividual user end devices are designed as mobile phones. Fixed in thisprocess is, first of all, a distance segment, which is bounded by astarting point A and an end point E. The starting point A and the endpoint E can each involve, for example, one cell of a mobile wirelesssystem, whereby the individual cells are spatially separated from oneanother and whereby additional cells can lie between the individualcells.

Both in the cells serving as starting point A and in the cells servingas end point E, specific pieces of information of all mobile phones thatare active in the respective cells are determined in a continual manner.The specific pieces of information determined in each case are relayedto the central processing unit.

Beyond this, the respective specific pieces of information of eachmobile phone are each provided with a corresponding time marker.

In the central processing unit, the specific pieces of information ofall mobile phones, particularly those of the mobile phones located inthe starting cell as well as the end cell, are compared with oneanother—preferably in a continual manner. If, during this, adisagreement arises, then this means that the corresponding mobile phonehas moved from the cell serving as starting point into the cell servingas end point. In order to determine the travel time, the time differenceis determined from the corresponding time markers and this represents ameasure of the period of time required for the mobile phone to reach theend point from the starting point.

Now, it is fundamentally conceivable that a mobile phone can move fromthe starting point to the end point in different ways. Thus, it isconceivable, for example, that the active mobile phone moves from thestarting point to the end point along a highway, a main road, a sideroad, with a break in the journey, without a break in the journey, bytrain, by bicycle, by foot, or the like.

The individual pieces of time information are therefore filed in acomparison file designed as a histogram, whereby, in this histogram, thenumber of active mobile phones is plotted over the travel time. In thisway, first of all, all of those mobile phones that indeed are located atthe starting point but do not move in the direction of the end pointdrop out of the analysis. Furthermore, it can be assumed that at themaximum of the histogram are located all of those mobile phonesubscribers that, in the example mentioned, are located on the highway.In this way, it is possible, for example, to assign a specific travelingtime to a portion of the highway located between a starting point and anend point.

Naturally, there can also arise the situation that a correspondinglyhigh number of active mobile phones are in motion between the startingpoint A and the end point E. In order to avoid making the mistake ofdrawing the conclusion of a traveling time on a portion of the highway,it is possible to provide, for example, corresponding timetable data oftrains as comparison data, so that the determined travel times can bechecked in a continual manner against such timetable data. In this way,a false assignment of travel times is effectively prevented.

Then, when a traffic jam forms on a part of the highway between thestarting point A and the end point E, the maximum of active mobilewireless subscribers requires a correspondingly longer time to arrive atthe end point E from the starting point A, that is, to arrive in the endcell from the starting cell. Accordingly, the maximum shifts to a longerlength of time.

For each distance segment between a starting point A and an end point E,it is possible in this way to determine the travel time, so that acurrent travel time is always known for the corresponding distancesegment.

In this way, it is possible to provide a dynamic travel time between thestarting point A and the end point E, which adapts to the externalcircumstances. Furthermore, it is also possible in this way to generatespecific pieces of information on possible traffic jams, which can thanbe analyzed and further processed in a suitable manner.

Provided according to a third aspect of the invention is a system fordetermining the travel time of at least one mobile user end devicebetween a starting point A and an end point E that is spatiallyseparated from it and/or for determining the travel time of at least onemobile user end device between a starting point and a destination pointthat is spatially separated from it, wherein the distance between thestarting point and the destination point is subdivided into one or moredistance segments S, each having a starting point A and an end point E,whereby the system is characterized in accordance with the invention bya means for carrying out the processes described above in accordancewith the invention. These means can involve, for example, componentparts of at least one electronic computer, electronic structuralelements, components, switches, switch parts, and suitable programmeans, such as, for example, software, and the like.

Provided according to a further aspect of the invention is a computerprogram product with a program medium that can be read by a computer andthat, when the program is loaded, has a program means for carrying outthe methods described above in accordance with the invention. Such acomputer program product, for example, can be loaded from acorresponding memory storage device or from the Internet or the likeonto or into the computer.

The invention will now be explained in greater detail on the basis ofembodiment examples taking into consideration the accompanying drawing.Shown therein are the following:

FIG. 1 shows, in schematic representation, a section of a cellularmobile wireless system; and

FIGS. 2 and 3 show diagrams in which the number of active mobilewireless subscribers is plotted over the travel time, whereby, in FIGS.2 and 3, different states prevail on the roads in each case.

Represented in FIG. 1 is, first of all, a section of a cellular mobilewireless system 10, wherein the mobile wireless system 10 is made up ofa number of mobile wireless cells 11, 12, 13. Each of these cells 11,12, 13 covers a particular geographical area. The individual cells 11,12, 13 communicate with corresponding base stations (not represented),which, in turn, communicate with at least one central processing unit(also not represented).

Information can be acquired and analyzed, via the base stations and thecentral processing unit, on all active mobile phones in the individualcells 11, 12, 13 in each case.

In the present embodiment example in accordance with FIG. 1, one regionof the mobile wireless system 10 is represented; it is located in thearea around

Karlsruhe. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the region of the mobile wirelesssystem 10 shown is crossed by two highways, namely, on the one hand, thehighway A5 and, on the other hand, the highway A8.

The travel time of vehicles on the highways is now to be determined bymeans of the mobile wireless system 10. To this end, the highwaydistances are first subdivided into a number of distance segments S,whereby each distance segment is bounded by a starting point A and anend point E. In order to make possible a determination of travel timethat is as free of gaps as possible, the end point E of one distancesegment S advantageously forms, at the same time, also the startingpoint A of the following distance segment. In the present embodimentexample in accordance with FIG. 1, only a single distance segment S isrepresented for better clarity. However, it is obvious that thefollowing description applies by analogy also to distances with severaldistance segments. In this case, the travel times for each distancesegment are determined and subsequently added together to form the totaltravel time.

For the distance segment S that is represented in FIG. 1 and is to beinvestigated, the starting point A is formed by a specific cell 12 ofthe mobile wireless system 10. The end point E of the distance segment Sis likewise formed by another cell 13 of the mobile wireless system 10,whereby the cells 12 and 13 are spatially separated from each other.Depending on the form of the distance segment S, it can be provided thatthe cells 12, 13 are arranged directly adjacent to each other. It isequally conceivable, as shown in the present example, that yetadditional cells 11 of the mobile wireless system are located betweenthe individual cells 12, 13.

In order to then determine the travel time of a vehicle on the highwaybetween the cell 12 and the cell 13, specific pieces of information inregard to active mobile phones are determined at first in a continualmanner and transmitted via the corresponding base stations to a centralprocessing unit. In the present example, specific pieces of informationcan be acquired from all active mobile phones that are located in thecell 12 or 13. On the basis of the specific pieces of information, aprecise definition and individual identity of the individual mobilephones is possible. In order to be able to determine travel times, eachspecific piece of information of an active mobile phone in the cell 12,or in the cell 13, is furnished with a corresponding time marker. In thepresent embodiment example, this means that all active mobile phonesthat are located in the cell 12, serving as starting point, are eachfurnished with a time marker TA. Likewise, all active mobile phoneslocated in the cell 13, functioning as end point, are furnished with atime marker TE.

In the central processing unit, then, the individual specific pieces ofinformation of all active mobile phones are compared with one anotherelectronically. When specific pieces of information of one mobile phone,which was originally located in the starting cell 12, are determined ata later point of time in the end destination 13 as well, this means,first of all, that the mobile phone has moved in some way from the cell12 to the cell 13. Because all active mobile phones are furnished ateach time with a corresponding time marker, this also means that, forthe mobile phones mentioned, both a time marker TE in the end cell 13and a time marker TA in the starting cell 12 is present. On agreement ofthe specific pieces of information, the time difference TE—TA betweenthe time marker TE and the time marker TA is now formed electronicallyin the central processing unit. This time difference then constitutesthe travel time of the mobile phone from the starting cell 12 to the endcell 13.

The specific pieces of information to be taken into consideration indetermining the travel time can involve diverse pieces of informationthat accrue in any case and are analyzed in connection with theoperation of mobile phones or of the mobile wireless system 10.

As ensues from the example represented in FIG. 1, however, it isinitially not absolutely certain whether all mobile phones that movefrom the starting cell 12 to the end cell 13 are also doing this overthe highway. Also, it is not absolutely essential that all active mobilephones located in the starting cell 12 indeed are also moving toward theend cell 13. In the example represented, individual mobile phones couldbe moving, for example, also in the direction of the highway A5, so thatsuch mobile phones will never reach the end cell 13.

Therefore, there has to be created a possibility as to how theindividual mobile phones can be brought geographically into connectionwith the highway. This can be done, for example, in a way that isrepresented in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIGS. 2 and 3 each represent histograms,in which, in general, a number of active mobile phones [N] is plottedover the time in seconds.

Represented in each of FIGS. 2 and 3 are curves 20, in which the traveltimes of active mobile phones between the starting cell 12 (the startingpoint A) and the end cell 13 (the end point E) are plotted. Such mobilephones are, in fact, registered in the starting cell 12, but they neverreach the end cell 13 and consequently are not registered in the curvesin accordance with FIGS. 2 and 3. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the mobile phonesthat are registered are those that actually have moved from the startingcell 12 toward the end cell 13 and have also reached the latter within acertain period of time.

The histograms represented in FIGS. 2 and 3 are filed in the centralprocessing unit in the form of comparison data and can be worked orprocessed in the central processing unit.

In each of the digital histograms according to FIGS. 2 and 3, the timedifferences TE−TA for all mobile phones that have moved from thestarting cell 12 toward the end cell 13 are processed. Accordingly, eachmobile phone has its own travel time from the starting cell 12 towardthe end cell 13. As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, there exists a largebandwidth of different time differences and thus determined traveltimes. In each of the curves, however, there result individual maximafor those typical travel times that are reached by most mobile phonesand thus active subscribers in the mobile wireless system 10.

Because, in the embodiment example, the highway represents the quickestconnection between the starting cell 12 and the end cell 13, it can beassumed that most of the active mobile phones in travel are to beassigned to automobile drivers who are moving on the highway. A maximumin active mobile phones, all of which require the same travel timebetween starting cell 12 and end cell 13, can accordingly be linked to aportion of the highway between starting cell 12 and end cell 13. Thismeans that that the travel time between the starting cell 12 and the endcell 13 that is required by the maximum for the active mobile phonesrepresents the travel time on the distance segment S formed as thehighway portion. Other isolated travel times can be caused by extremelyslow vehicles, by traffic on another route, or the like. These traveltimes can be ignored, however, because, for the determination of thetravel time on the highway between the starting point A and the endpoint E, only the maximum is of importance. Then, when the maximumshifts, this means that the travel time on the distance segment Sbetween the starting point A and the end point E has become longer onaccount of, for example, a traffic disruption or the like.

The curve 20 represented in FIG. 2 involves a linking of the activemobile wireless subscribers to the travel time that these have requiredfor the route from the starting point A to the end point E. As alreadypresented above, what is involved in the case of each of the curvemaxima are those mobile wireless subscribers who use the highway. As canbe seen in the curve 20 according to FIG. 2, a total of two maxima 21and 22 are displayed. This means that, on the highway distance segment Sbetween starting cell 12 and end cell 13, active mobile phones locatedin vehicles of different speed categories are moving. For example, truckand automobile traffic are conceivable here.

The two maxima 21 and 22 of curve 20 lie at different travel times. Theshorter travel times, for example, may be assigned to the automobiletraffic, whereas the longer travel times, for example, may be assignedto the truck traffic. In the exemplary example according to FIG. 2, themaximum 22 lies at about 510 seconds, whereas the maximum 21 lies atabout 360 seconds. In the present example, this might mean that trucksrequire a travel time of 510 seconds and automobiles require a traveltime of 360 seconds in order to go from the starting cell 12 to the endcell 13.

For comparison to this, a second histogram of the same distance segmentS at another time is represented in FIG. 3. As can be seen in FIG. 3, inthe exemplary situation represented, there now prevails only a singlemaximum 23, which lies at about 650 seconds. This means that, onceagain, the maximum of all active mobile phones is moving over thehighway distance segment S, and that all mobile phones on the highwayrequire the same travel time. To continue on with the example accordingto FIG. 2, this may mean that both the otherwise faster automobiles andthe otherwise slower vehicles (trucks) require an identical travel time.It can be concluded from this that, on the distance segment S betweenthe starting point A and the end point E, a higher volume of trafficprevails than in the case of FIG. 2, so that a significantly longertravel time is determined via the central processing unit for thedistance segment S.

The travel times determined in each case per distance segment S areadvantageously determined and updated in a continual manner. Thus, atany arbitrary point of time, the precise, actual travel time on thedistance segment S is known.

The method in accordance with the invention can thus be employed, firstof all, to determine solely the travel times to be expected onindividual distance segments S or on total distances formed from severaldistance segments, at the same time, without the necessity of makingstatements about the currently prevailing traffic situations. Becausethe travel time can change dynamically within each distance segment Sover time, a user of the system can learn at any time how long he willrequire in order to go from a starting point to a destination point.

Furthermore, the determined travel times can also be stored in memory,so that they can be used at a later point of time as reference values.Through the comparison of currently determined travel times withcorresponding reference values, it is possible, for example, to generatetraffic information on, for instance, whether or not a traffic jamprevails on the distance segment. Furthermore, reference values can alsobe used in order to prepare forecasts for the future.

Because only the maxima 21, 22, or 23 of the curves 20—and thus arelative comparison—is required for the determination of the travel timeon the highway between the starting point A and the end point E, themethod can be employed in a particularly simple and cost-advantageousmanner for the determination of the travel time, because a precisepositioning of the individual mobile phones is not required. Also, thenumber of the active mobile phones in the monitored distance segment Sin each case does not play any role. For the example according to FIG.2, for example, substantially more active mobile phones are registeredthan is the case in the example according to FIG. 3. However, becauseonly the relative comparison between the individual travel times isalways taken into consideration, this comparison is possible both for alarge number and for a small number of active mobile phones.

Thus, the method in accordance with the invention makes possible adetermination of the travel time on particular distances—in the presentcase, on the highway between the starting point A and the end pointE—this traveling time resulting solely from the acquisition of data fromthe mobile wireless system, whereby the data utilized here is only datathat accrues in any case during the operation of the mobile wirelesssystem 10. A precise geographical positioning of the determinedinformation, also referred to as map matching, is not necessary.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   10=mobile wireless system-   11=cell-   12=cell-   13=cell-   20=curve, for which the number of mobile wireless subscribers is    plotted over the travel time-   21=maximum-   22=maximum-   23=maximum-   A=starting point-   E=end point-   S=distance segment between a and e

1. A method for determining the travel time of mobile user end devicesin a pre-determined distance segment (S) between a pre-determinedstarting point (A) and a pre-determined end point (E) that is spatiallyseparated from it, this method being characterized in accordance withthe invention by the following steps: a) the pre-determined startingpoint (A) is designed as a cell (12) of a mobile wireless system (10)and the pre-determined end point (E) is designed as another cell (13) ofthe mobile wireless system (10) that is spatially separated from it; b)specific pieces of information of at least one mobile user end devicelocated at a starting point (A) are determined and each is linked to atime marker (TA); c) specific pieces of information of at least onemobile user end device located at the end point (E) are determined andeach is linked to a time marker (TE) wherein the time marker-linked,specific pieces of information or action profiles of each mobile userend device or the travel times determined therefrom are filed in theform of comparison data at least temporarily in a comparison file; d)the specific pieces of information of at least one mobile user enddevice located at the starting point (A) and at the end point (E) arecompared with one another electronically in at least one centralprocessing unit; and e) when there is agreement between the specificpieces of information of a mobile user end device at the starting point(A) and at the end point (E), the time difference (TE−TA) between thetime marker (TE) and the time marker (TA) is formed and the travel timeis determined from it electronically in the central processing unit. 2.The method according to claim 1, further characterized in that this iscarried out by use of an information transmitting system, in particulara communication system, whereby the travel time is determined fromspecific data of the mobile user end devices of the informationtransmitting system.
 3. The method according to claim 1, furthercharacterized in that this is carried out by use of a mobile wirelesssystem (10), in particular a cellular mobile wireless system, whereinthe mobile user end devices are designed as mobile phones and whereinthe travel time is determined from specific data of the mobile phone. 4.The method according to claim 1, further characterized in that thespecific pieces of information of the at least one mobile user enddevice located at the starting point (A) and at the end point (E) aretransmitted to the central processing unit or are generatedelectronically in the central processing unit.
 5. The method accordingto claim 1, further characterized in that the starting point (A) and theend point (E) is fixed in the form of a geographical value.
 6. Themethod according to claim 3, further characterized in that the startingpoint (A) and the end point (E) is fixed in the form of a geographicalvalue.
 7. The method according to claim 3, further characterized in thatthe starting point (A) and the end point (E) is fixed in the form of ageographical value and further characterized in that the starting point(A) is designed as a first boundary of a cell (11) of the mobilewireless system (10) and that the end point (E) is designed as a secondboundary of the same cell (11).
 8. The method according to claim 1,further characterized in that an action profile is determined for the atleast one mobile user end device at the starting point (A) and for theat least one mobile user end device at the end point (E) from specificpieces of information for these and that each action profile is linkedto a time marker (TA, TE).
 9. The method according to claim 8, furthercharacterized in that the action profile is determined in the mobileuser end device associated therewith or in the central processing unit.10. The method according to claim 1, further characterized in that thecentral unit has at least one computing unit with one or more electroniccomputers and that the travel time is determined electronically in theat least one computing unit.
 11. The method according to claim 1,further characterized in that the comparison data are subjected to aweighting step in the central processing unit.
 12. The method accordingto claim 1, further characterized in that, in the central unit, ageographical or user-specific assignment is generated on the basis ofthe comparison data.
 13. The method according to claim 1, furthercharacterized in that the time marker-linked, specific pieces ofinformation or action profiles of each mobile user end device or thetravel times determined therefrom or the comparison data generatedtherefrom are compared with corresponding reference values within thecentral processing unit.
 14. The method according to claim 1, furthercharacterized in that the travel time is determined in a continualmanner and in that the travel time is updated in a continual manner. 15.A method for determining the travel time of at least one mobile user enddevice between a starting point and a destination point that isspatially separated from it, characterized in that the distance betweenthe starting point and the destination point is subdivided into two ormore distance segments (S), each having a starting point (A) and an endpoint (E), in that the travel time within each distance segment (S) isdetermined according to claim 1, in that the individual travel times ofthe distance segments are summed up in the central processing unit, andin that the total travel time is determined from the sum of theindividual travel times.
 16. The method according to claim 15, furthercharacterized in that the individual travel times of the distancesegments (S) are determined in a continual manner and in that the totaltravel time is updated in a continual manner on the basis of the traveltimes within the distance segments (S).
 17. The method according toclaim 1, farther characterized in that, in the central unit, trafficinformation is generated on the basis of the determined travel time(s)or the determined total travel time(s).
 18. The method according toclaim 1, further characterized in that the time marker-linked, specificpieces of information or action profiles of each mobile user end deviceor the travel times determined therefrom or the comparison datagenerated therefrom or the total travel times determined or the trafficinformation generated are transmitted form the central processing unitto selected or to all mobile user end devices.
 19. A system fordetermining the travel time of at least one mobile user end devicebetween a starting point (A) and an end point (E) that is spatiallyseparated from it and/or for determining the travel time of at least onemobile user end device between a starting point and a destination pointthat is spatially separated from it, wherein the distance between thestarting point and the destination point is subdivided into one or moredistance segments (S), each having a starting point (A) and an end point(E), characterized by a means for carrying out the process according toone of claims 1–3, 4–10 or 11–18.
 20. A computer program product with aprogram medium that can be read on a computer and that, when the programis loaded, has a program means for carrying out the method according toone of claims 1–3, 4–10 or 11–18.
 21. A method for determining thetravel time of mobile user end devices between a starting point (A) andan end point (E) that is spatially separated from it, this method beingcharacterized in accordance with the invention by the following steps:a) specific pieces of information of at least one mobile user end devicelocated at a starting point (A) are determined and each is linked to atime marker (TA); b) specific pieces of information of at least onemobile user end device located at the end point (E) are determined andeach is linked to a time marker (TE); c) the specific pieces ofinformation of at least one mobile user end device located at thestarting point (A) and at the end point (E) are compared with oneanother electronically in at least one central processing unit; d) whenthere is agreement between the specific pieces of information of amobile user end device at the starting point (A) and at the end point(E), the time difference (TE−TA) between the time marker (TE) and thetime marker (TA) is formed and the travel time is determined from itelectronically in the central processing unit; and e) the timemarked-linked, specific pieces of information or action profiles of eachmobile user end device or the travel times determined therefrom arefiled in form of comparison data at least temporarily in a comparisonfile.
 22. A method for determining the travel time of mobile user enddevices between a starting point (A) and an end point (E) that isspatially separated from it, this method being characterized inaccordance with the invention by the following steps: a) specific piecesof information of at least one mobile user end device located at astarting point (A) are continuously determined and each is linked to atime marker (TA); b) specific pieces of information of at least onemobile user end device located at the end point (E) are continuouslydetermined and each is linked to a time marker (TE) wherein the timemarker-linked, specific pieces of information of each mobile user enddevice or the travel times determined therefrom are filed in the form ofcomparison data at least temporarily in a comparison file; c) thespecific pieces of information of at least one mobile user end devicelocated at the starting point (A) and at the end point (E) arecontinuously compared with one another electronically in at least onecentral processing unit; d) when there is agreement between the specificpieces of information of a mobile user end device at the starting point(A) and at the aid point (E), the time difference (TE−TA) between thetime marker (TE) and the time marker (TA) is formed and the travel timeis determined from it electronically in the central processing unit.